On Tuesday, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad
launched a
horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians.
Using a deadly nerve agent, Assad choked out the lives of helpless men,
women, and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even
beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack. No
child of God should ever suffer such horror.

Tonight, I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria
from where the chemical attack was launched. It is in this vital
national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the
spread and use of deadly chemical weapons. There can be no dispute that
Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the
Chemical Weapons Convention, and ignored the urging of the U.N. Security
Council.

Years of previous attempts at changing Assad's behavior have all failed,
and failed very dramatically. As a result, the refugee crisis continues
to deepen and the region continues to destabilize, threatening the
United States and its allies.

Tonight, I call on all civilized nations to join us in seeking to end
the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria, and also to end terrorism of all
kinds and all types.

We ask for God's wisdom as we face the challenge
of our very troubled world. We pray for the lives of the wounded and
for the souls of those who have passed. And we hope that as long as
America stands for justice, then peace and harmony will, in the end,
prevail.